• Eden Gardens, the first MN Green Path neighborhood of its kind, is coming to Eden Prairie. Learn more about this monumental project.
   
• BATC is looking for great instructors that provide top-quality courses to offer in our 2015 BATC University continuing education series. Please apply by August 1st. Learn more >>
   
• Our Marketing and Events Manager, Nicole Coon, was out east this week getting great intelligence at Expo Next to improve our Builders and Remodelers Show (BRS).
   
• Have you added the BATC Badge to your Houzz page yet? Here's what you need to do >>
   
• Check out the Artisan Home Tour builders that are featured on Instagram. And, check out the latest Artisan Home Tour episodes featured on the Art of Home TV.
   
• Ad reservations for the Fall Parade of Homes and Remodelers Showcase are due by July 7th (materials due by July 11th). Contact Kori Meewes to get started.
   
• Industry leaders went to a fundraiser for ALL, Inc's Ryan Rutzick (District 44B candidate) held at an Edina Artisan home last week.
   
• We survived the police action in BATC's neighborhood on Friday. Read what happened >>

Most contractors who provide residential or commercial building construction or improvement services are required to register with DLI through the Construction Contractor Registration Program if they do not hold a contractor’s license. 

What does this mean for BATC Builders?

• You should always check DLI's license look-up to make sure your subcontractors are licensed or registered.
• The expiration date of all current registrations has been automatically extended from June 30, 2014, to June 30, 2015.
• Your subcontractors do not have to do anything to keep their current registration active until June 30, 2015.
• DLI will send information about the registration renewal process in spring 2015.

Online Registration >>

After the March 7th moratorium that temorarily paused new construction of single and two-family dwellings in five Minneapolis neighborhoods (Linden Hills, Fulton, Armatage, Kenny, and Lynnhurst) was lifted, a construction management agreement was drafted.

City planners have been researching the regulations that govern residential construction based on the feedback received from 13th Ward residents who participated in neighborhood focus groups, members of the AIA Residential Architects Committee and additional architectural experts. The areas include (but are not limited to) site plan review standards, building height and floor area, required yards, building coverage and impervious surface, and urban form and character.

Based on this research, City planning staff is producing draft ordinance text intended to update existing regulations that address residential infill construction to ensure that new construction better aligns with the policy objectives outlined in the City’s comprehensive plan.

Three public meetings will be held to solicit feedback from industry representatives and the community:

1. Industry Representatives Meeting: July 10th from 3-4:30pm
   City of Lakes Building, 309 2nd Ave. S., Room 101, Minneapolis
    
2. Public Open House: July 16 from 4:30-6pm
   City Hall, Room 333, 350 South Fifth Street, Minneapolis
    
3. City Planning Commission Public Hearing: July 28, 4:30pm
   City Hall, Room 317, 350 South Fifth Street, Minneapolis

On August 21, 2014, the Zoning & Planning Committee of the City Council will consider the recommendation of the City Planning Commission. City Council adoption and publication is expected by late August/early September 2014.

Local Minnesota governments spent $8 million on lobbying the legislature in 2013. These groups are often at odds with our industry efforts, and our lobbying expenditures are only a fraction of theirs. Despite this, BATC has made significant progress at the state capitol - particularly in our grassroot efforts to prevent the Sprinkler Mandate over the last four years, and in defending successfully against many harmful proposals.

Housing First is an opportunity to support candidates who are receptive to our housing message while balancing the influence of local governments.

We're numbering homes for the Fall Tour and saved a special spot at #11 for the KARE 11 Backyard! The focal point of the backyard makeover, the rustic stone fireplace, is the latest edition to the project. Learn more about the construction progress on Grow with KARE.

You'll find a wealth of information in the 2014 State of the Nation's Housing report, but the biggest conclusion is that "housing needs Millennials and Millennials, by golly, need housing." Download a more in depth look into the findings from this study, including:

• Executive Summary
• Housing Markets
• Demographic Drivers
• Homeownership
• Rental Housing
• Housing Challenges
• Key Facts

Nationally, housing demographics are shifting, and the same is true locally. The Met Council suggests that by 2040 there will be "a sharp decline in the types of households that typically drive demand for single-family homes — younger families with children." Instead, according to the Met 2040 Plan, you can expect:

• 820,000 additional people will live in the seven core counties by 2040.
• There will be no need for any additional single-family, large-lot houses. Read why >>

The cold winter is behind us and housing is headed toward the sun, according to Reuters. "Consumers believe the first quarter decline in economic activity was due to the harsh winter weather, and that the economy has already returned to positive economic growth." To confirm this, U.S. consumer sentiment rose to 82.5 in June (from 81.9 in May). Keep reading >>

Metro Study agreed. "When it comes to new home sales, the first half of 2014 was the victim of the cold weather, but more so the victim of the large price hikes that occurred in the first half of 2013.  We are long past the weather factor, and we are seeing consumers start to get past the sticker shock.  Our research shows that traffic is more prone to turn into sales now." Keep reading >>

The Twin Cities housing marketing is showing sturdy growth, despite the fact that we're among the riskiest housing markets in the US.

From BMO Economics Special Report:

• Minnesota economy growing at a firm pace, well ahead of the national average
• GDP growth is expected to remain healthy at 2.5 percent in 2014
• The Twin Cities show solid growth thanks to a variety of service industries
• Jobs lost during the recession now recovered

Minneapolis Mulls Stricter Housing Height, Lot Limits

The Cities - "New houses in Minneapolis would need to be shorter and take up less of their lots under a proposal that goes before the city’s planning commission next month.

The details of the ordinance are still being hammered out. Commissioners will give guidance on what the height and size limits should be." Read more >>

Consumers look for products and services at ParadeofHomes.org ... so you'll want to make sure that your listing is up to date.

Check your listing by searching for your company name on the site. Then verify that your information is accurate. If you need to make any changes, login to the Parade of Homes website and Edit Your Company Profile.

Questions? Contact BATC at 651-697-1954.

July 22
BATC BE Showroom Mixer and Free Marketing & Sales Course [register]
August 5
BATC Open Golf Tournament [register]
August 14
Member Orientation [Contact Deb]
September 9
Sponsorship Luncheon [register]
September 23
BATC Foundation Golf Open [Contact Perri]
October 7
BATC Clay Shoot [Register]
October 11
Builders' Warehouse Sale [Contact Perri]
October 23
BIG Night [more info]
November 4
Election Day - VOTE
November 13
Member Orientation
November 13
Give to the Max Day
November 18
BATC BE Fast Forward Showroom Mixer [register]
December 4
BATC Buck Auction & Holiday Food Drive [more info]

For a complete list of events, visit our website at WWW.BATC.ORG.